Rejecting Societal Beliefs and Maintaining Innocence As people grow older, the morals they hold onto have the power to either define or destroy them. Education is a theme very heavily emphasized throughout Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, as Scout learns both through the traditional school system, and through the teachings of Atticus. The institutionalized education she receives tries to desensitize her to issues within her community and attempts to instill the beliefs of society within her, while the guidance Scout receives from Atticus teaches her more about the world she lives in, and keeps her innocence from being completely corrupted. She is taught both helpful and harmful concepts about moral issues such as individuality, courage, …show more content…
Miss. Gates, Scout’s third grade teacher, tries to teach Scout about prejudice through Hitler and his hate of the Jewish, but Scout notices that Miss. Gates displays prejudice in her own community against Tom Robinson and other African-Americans. When describing Hitler’s actions, she states “Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced.” (Lee, 329). When describing her confusion to Jem, Scout later recalls that “I heard her say it’s time somebody taught ‘em a lesson, they were getting way above themselves, an’ the next thing they think they can do is marry us” (Lee 331). Miss. Gates’ contradiction draws parallels with that of society at the time, since she realizes the problem of prejudice, but refuses to admit that she has become prejudiced. Likewise, society recognizes the problems that African-Americans face, but is continuing to refuse to acknowledge or do anything about them. Atticus, one of the only people who recognizes the struggles that those facing prejudice live with, instructs his children that “It’s not okay to hate anybody” (Lee, 330), and tells them “I do my best to love everybody” (Lee, 144). He doesn’t want his children to be infected by the prejudice of the society they inhabit, but instead teaches them to love and respect everyone they come
The way and rate that people mature at can be directly attributed to the values and beliefs of the society that surrounds an individual. It is undeniable that society’s perspective on many controversial issues will generally be adopted by the younger generations in a given society. Moreover, the exposure to significant events, coupled with the major influence of family members, can have an enormous impact on how an individual matures. Additionally, family members greatly help each other develop into moral adults by instilling in each other values that will ultimately determine an individual’s character. In Harper Lee’s timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, the constant reiteration of Atticus Finch’s values, in conjunction with the exposure to significant events, assist in Jem and Scout’s maturation into virtuous adolescents.
In Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird" shows and teaches many lessons throughout the passage. Some characters that learn lessons in this passage are Scout, Jem, and Dill. Scout and Jems father Atticus, is taking a case that affects their lives in so many ways. They all learn new things throughout the story and it impacts their lives greatly. There are lots of things including the trial mostly that change the perspective of the world they live in. The kids are living in the Great Depression and it shows just how bad things really where. Scout, Jem, and Dill have experiences that force them to mature and gain new insight.
What does moral education mean to you? What about life lessons? Did you need a difficult situation to help you learn these lessons? For Jem and Scout Finch, it took extremely dark times to learn these lessons. In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem and Scout learn many life lessons. The children's father, Atticus, takes on a strenuous case involving racism in the the southern town of Maycomb. When the innocent African American man is ruled guilty, the children learn about moral education and the reality of their imperfect town. Jem and Scout each learn many meaningful lessons throughout this novel: the drive to stay positive, do what is right, and the truth about some folks.
In Harper Lee’s seminal work To Kill a Mockingbird, the author communicates that one must never employ judgement. Instead, one should adopt understanding toward others; understanding often leads to empathy. Lee shows this with the relationship of Scout to several other characters, including Aunt Alexandra, Atticus, Boo Radley, and Mrs. Dubose. In the book, Lee uses the character of Scout to show that understanding and not judging them is one of the most important things we can do as people.
“I don’t have to listen to you because you’re not the boss of me.” Many little kids often think that they don’t have to listen to other people or do what they are told, which is how Scout was in the book, To Kill a Mockingbird. She continued this kind of defiance until Atticus, her dad, began to change it. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird was written by Harper Lee and is about a young girl, Scout, who grows up in the small town of Maycomb in the 1930’s. Scout is the daughter of Atticus and her brother’s name is Jem. Throughout the book, Atticus tries to raise Scout and Jem into the best people they can be. Knowledge, honesty, and kindness are the three values that Atticus strived to pass down to his children.
“The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values” William Seward Burroughs once stated. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, a man of great virtue teaches his children important life lessons by setting an example for them. He shows restraint when he is insulted and embraces others when they need help. Atticus stands up for the weak and disabled, no matter their gender, age, or even race. Atticus Finch educates his children on the values of tolerance, courage, and equality.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” Atticus gave this advice to his daughter Scout in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, explaining to her that she could never fully comprehend what a person is experiencing. Their town, Maycomb, does not abide by this guidance often, and the people are quick to judge someone who is different. To Kill a Mockingbird demonstrates how the marginalized characters like Scout are either forced to conform to society, or be declared as an ‘Other,’ like Tom Robinson.
Through characterization and behavior, the author demonstrates the connection of these themes as crucial for manifesting real humanity within individuals. Education and courage produce a higher level of humanity in human behavior, particularly because they allow individuals to walk in the skins of other people before judging them. Education and courage allow for a neutralization of prejudice because they lend a broader understanding to the individual concerning others. Atticus, the father of Scout and Jem (Jeremy Finch), often teaches the lessons of education and courage to his children. Atticus' brand of courage and education is different than that of most people in the town.
After school, Scout continues to tell Jem about what happened with Miss Gates. She doesn’t understand how Miss Gates can morally justify the unfair treatment of African Americans, but at the same time pity the Jews. Jem, however, does not feel comfortable talking to Scout about this, because he is still new to the realities of the real world, and still hasn’t gotten over the unfair conviction of Tom Robinson. This discriminatory attitude is the direct result of generations of passed down racism and hatred. Jem and Scout, however, are of the few people in Maycomb county to grow up being told that everyone is born equal, and the values of Atticus heavily influence how they view the world. Atticus devotes himself to providing Jem and Scout with a sense of individuality, while ensuring that they don't become blind to social pressures such as racism and prejudice. It is because of this that Scout is able to see the hypocrisy in what Miss Gates is saying. Miss Gates and Atticus are almost polar opposites in a sense, as Atticus actually has the integrity to defend a black man, whilst simultaneously jeopardizing his status, and Miss Gates, like most other people in Maycomb, oppress and discriminate against
Scout’s third grade teacher, Miss Gates, is having a discussion with the class during school one day. She replies to a student saying, “Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced” (329). Scout goes home after school to talk to her brother about something she remembers about Miss Gates. Scout says, “I heard her say ‘It’s time somebody taught ‘em a lesson, they were gettin’ way above themselves an’ the next thing they think they can do is marry us.’ Jem, how can you hate Hitler so bad and then turn around and be ugly about folks right at home-“ (331). Mrs. Gates contradicting herself reveals how ethics are not upheld among the people of the
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…Until you climb his skin, and walk around in it.” (Lee 30) The story takes place in a small town called Maycomb, which is in Alabama. It happened and started in the late 1930s in “The Great Depression”. The main characters are Scout, Jem, and Atticus . Scout is the youngest and the most maturing one, the perspective was from her point of view. Jem is the eldest and cares a lot about everything that Scout faces. Atticus is the father of Jem and Scout, and he works as a lawyer in Maycomb, who helps black people. The trail in the novel “To Kill A MockingBird” affect Scout, Atticus and Jem because it taught them bravery, equality, and how to face injustice.
Life is full of lessons. The lessons you learn adjust and fit your character and who you are. In the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, the characters of Jem and Scout are young, and have to figure life as they go. Jem and Scout witness and live through life lessons. They learn these lessons from others around them. Some lessons come from their town itself, while others come from people. Their father, Atticus, teaches them a lot about life and the right and wrong. Jem and Scout learn what it means to have empathy, courage, persistence and personal integrity. Also, the Mockingbirds themselves adjust and appoint life lessons.
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a classic. This book should still be taught for reasons such as; it teaches students about social inequality, education back then, perspective, and racism. This book touches so many big themes that matter in life or did at some point.
According to Atticus Finch, “ You never understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 30). This is one of the most important lessons Atticus could have ever taught the children and it really reaches out to the reader of the book. Throughout the book To Kill a MockingBird By Harper Lee a common theme appeared frequently. The theme education is shown through Calpurnia, Atticus, and Jem. Education is shown throughout the entire book not just through school, but through life lessons. Education is shown through Atticus, Calpurnia, and Jem.
Harper Lee comments on life in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird how life was. Blacks and whites was not equal, and blacks had less education than whites. Whites had schools and blacks had to get there education in churches.